From Stats to *Sparkle*

From Stats to Sparkle, 
Reimagining Your Programming Success

Los Gatos Library, Juv and Teen Librarians

So they began by passing out “Sparkle” pins and candy, I like them already

Leave a little sparkle everywhere you go.  “Sparkle moments” a joyous, inspirational, feel good moments.  Goal is to create awesomeness in service and increase motivation/morale of library staff.

Focus is building new connections not on the #’s or stats (yes, these are important, but shouldn't be the main focus)

For all programs: ask the questions:

• How does this promote sparkle moments?   
• How does it build connections? 
• Where's the sparkle? 

Presentation Takeaways: 

• Cultivate and capture the moments of warm fuzzies. Not just stats!
• Share these moments. 
• Don’t be shy about your successes.

Why?

After a renovation, library is now seen as an afterschool destination for high schoolers-yeah!!

But 120 teens per day also presented new challenges for the library staff.

Staff reassessed policies, space for noise complaints, and discipline issues.

Need: to connect with the teens, control the situation

Solution: Library community services officers: program CSO’s
(part of the local police Explorers program, aged 16-19, wore police uniform)

Explorers were trained, wore uniforms, spend their time with teens int he library-built connections, got to know them.

Stephanie, 1^st CSO:

-3 C’s Candy, conversation, consistency with the teens in the library

Michelle, 2^nd: shared her passion for police work with teens in the PM

-"footprint Friday", good relationship with the teens at the high school in the AM

Jessica, 3^rd:  a consistence presence makes teens feel safe, awesome wall of teen happenings, connected well with all ages,

What: StoryWalk: a branded program, copyright

   An outdoorsy, education minded community, builds early literacy skills, fosters family engagement, and exercise

Ideal: all libraries would have a storywalk that would also serve for library branding

Reality: city had many posting rules and policies

Compromise: created as a pilot project, the library would manage and supervise closely.

Plan:launched as part of the anniversary of library.

-each page, laminated, glued on lawn signs and put into the ground along a path in a local park

Result: Great enthusiasm in community response: 63 kids, 51 adults

- parents engaged with kids in a playful setting, park was located in front of city hall- so city staff could witness the joy of families.

during the summer: a performer cancelled, so the Storywalk was used as an emergency fill in

Variation on the idea: As an open program:  displayed in the children's area, on the walls, ended at a display of books -

-PD requested a storywalk for a city event.

What’s Next?: town developed trust in library programming. Maybe—museums, local businesses, on the city trails, ongoing.

Reverse Required Reading

Adults you know read books you love.

Adults read young adult books and responded via the library's social media by answering 4 easy questions:

ie. Did you like it?

What did you not expect?

Adults posted pics of themselves reading the books- got more and more creative as time passed

How did it work?
Students nominated adults to read a specific YA books- (teachers, police officers, etc.) Librarians then reached out to these adults- Hey you've been nominated by ... asked to read and post to the libraries FB page.

Result?

By asking adults to read teen novels, they became more aware of how awesome teens are, and more aware of their experiences.

Be A Book Family- BABF

Tween readers: families with tweens connect through literature

Created library displays based on these 4 categories:

-Read to Me

-­Growing Readers

-Sharing Stories

-Stories Connect

 Quick choose book displays- convenient for parents/ families

Associated to the displays: fun challenges, storywalk, signing a guest book, passive craft

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